One just needs to take a close look at the terrain north of Wangetti to see the absurdities of such a trail.

The extremely rugged steep and isolated rainforest section would require more effort to cut a trail through than the original Cook Highway did along the coast, and look how fragile the highway is in a major rain event.

In fact, Quad Road being re-built for vehicle traffic with a bicycle lane added so that mountain bikes could ride up to Black Mountain road and access Port Douglas via the Bump Track would be a much smarter use of money and more viable. You gain another much needed second road access to the Tablelands and utilise existing infrastructure, and a proper viable Wangetti Trail to Port Douglas.

In fact, didn't the recent Gran Fondo utilise the exact same route from Hartley's Crocodile Park to Port Douglas, a much smarter move for the new Cook MP David Kempton than a ridiculous destruction of rainforest and all the consequences that would bring in constant bills for maintenance, emergency access incase of an accident, no phone coverage in an emergency etc.

In fact, it's about as 'smart' and environmentally absurd as the destruction of vast virgin forests for wind farms owned by foreign company's driving our power bills up for their profit. Another 'green' white elephant. Give me coal any day.

A usable Quad Road would be a far greater asset to the Cook electorate than an unviable ridiculously expensive goat track. Oh and add to the list a new pipeline from Quad dam to the Douglas Shire so we can guarantee water for the Shire and provide sustainable irrigation water for the future diversification of the farming so it can move away from cane.

A Smart future instead of a dumb waste of money.

Trevor - Via Newsport comments

LOL, when you examine the path the trail takes through Ellis Beach and can see where the floods cut the earth in half. this track won't be there very long before it's washed into the ocean.

Graham - Via Newsport comments

Folks look at the facts: No work completed on that road for 10 months.

Speaking to traffic controllers said the road is way, way worse than all of you can imagine ( hence no work) - the geo technical engineers keep finding more issues (hence why further seaward lanes have been closed and now longer delays).

Yet LABOR government can spend $47m on a walking bike track (which is now NOT world standard and is turning into a white elephant case built by an inferior contractor who has never built a walking track - let alone world class.

Some of it is already washing away. Government needs to give priority to fixing the road which will now take in excess of two years. The cost for the traffic controllers here and mt Molloy roads are millions and not fixed … not even started.

Neil Jabs - Newsport on Facebook

If the rail system was not required for moving the crop this season, it is difficult to see how things would need to be any different next year.

John Browning - Via Newsport comments

Snap water restrictions. In the so-called wisdom of the Council, they can implement snap water restrictions. All residents should be asking council what they are doing to increase water supply as they grant development approvals? We can’t keep developing and create extra demand and not increase water supply.

Cliff Mitting - Letter to Editor

Seriously? If it’s Brown flush it down if it’s yellow let it mellow?? Kids can’t use water pistols?! What country inside of Australia do we live in? We have the right to flush our toilets at least?

Claire Durrant - Newsport on Facebook

It’s really important the DSC make sure the water issue is fixed so we don’t have to go through this again and again. Water is a fundamental right, the only restrictions should be on gardens and pool if at all.

Flick Boucher - Newsport on Facebook

Did anyone read the part where it said "emergency situation"...... They aren't talking about when general water restrictions come in at this time of year when the Mossman Gorge flow drops to literally a quarter of it's regular flow. But hey I guess that's the Council’s fault as well huh?

Daniel Beau - Newsport on Facebook

Obviously people haven't learnt from last summer. Get complacent, laugh at the warnings, be surprised when a natural disaster happens, repeat.

Daniel Charles - Newsport on Facebook

Amazes me that people move to North Qld, pay almost a million $$$ for a home and won't spend a $1000 for a generator for when the power goes out. And, yes, you can cook meals on a gas B-B-Q if the bottle is full. A rain-water tank is handy too. I’ve seen a few cyclones in 67 years and survived.

Craig Marstensen - Newsport on Facebook